The fear of an economic war between the United States and its international partners, particularly Europe, has slowed the progress of digital asset regulation in 2026. Geopolitical tensions and tariff disputes have shifted legislative priority towards macroeconomic stability, leaving the regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies on the back burner.
The following are the key factors behind the delay in 2026:
Tariff Tensions: The announcement of new U.S. tariffs on NATO allies and the European Union has generated volatility that directly affects the crypto market.
Legislative Impasse: The U.S. Senate has postponed the final consideration of critical laws, such as the Crypto Market Structure Act, until early 2026 due to a lack of internal consensus and the focus on the upcoming midterm elections.
Conflicts with the Private Sector: Large platforms like Coinbase have opposed current versions of the bills, particularly regarding the regulation of stablecoins and restrictions on offering yields, which has halted the voting process.
Tax Compliance: As the general law is delayed, the IRS has confirmed that the mandatory detailed reporting (FIFO method and cost basis) for digital asset transactions will fully come into effect starting in 2026.
This regulatory uncertainty has caused the price of assets like Bitcoin to fall below $90,000 in January 2026, amid fears that the U.S. will lose competitiveness against regions with already established frameworks like MiCA in Europe.